headspace is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. headspace welcomes all
people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Information & support

For young people

Learn about mental health, or if you need support, get in-touch with someone who can help.

A real story about social anxiety disorder

I was always a shy kid. I was the kid in class that never put their hand up to answer a question and started to sweat when the teacher asked us to answer a question. I dreaded going to school and spent all my breaks in the library by myself. Mufti days were the worst - I would set my alarm to go off at 3AM and faked coughing, sore throats and fevers just so I could get out of school the next day. The most traumatic experience was a speech I had to give in Year 12, my hands shook so much that I kept dropping my palm cards as I couldn't hold onto them and I could feel my mouth trembling with every word I said.

As I started university, it became even worse. I used alcohol to numb myself before any presentations and even overdosed on anti-depressants the night before a presentation just to get a hospital certificate and be excluded from presenting. Common things such as going grocery shopping, making a phone call or using public transport terrified me. Making and maintaining friends was especially a challenge. I would always turn down opportunities to go to parties or to go see a movie with the few friends and eventually they just stopped asking. As a result, I often felt very isolated and alone.

I was actually visiting my GP and picked up a brochure in the waiting room on Anxiety. When I read the page on Social Anxiety I was so shocked - I related to everything on the page. I took the brochure with me and told my GP and he agreed that I had Social Anxiety Disorder.

I began CBT to treat my Social Anxiety as well as Depression and Bulimia. To this day I’m still not sure which one came first. But I think that my childhood memories of being extremely shy and getting progressively worse as I got older lead to me developing an eating disorder and eventually becoming depressed.

I want to let everyone know that once you start seeking help, even though it’s incredibly overwhelming and scary, it becomes so much easier. As a result of being formally diagnosed with SAD, my university is extremely accommodating and works with me on developing study plans to suit. This takes a huge pressure off me, as I don’t have to spend every night from Week 1 onwards dreading a presentation I have to give in Week 13.

Maintaining friends and staying social is still a struggle for me. I often have to force myself to go out and at times this is hard but I know I have to do it as it’s the only way I’m going to get better. I know a lot of people don’t take SAD seriously and just typecast us as the strangely shy and quiet kids – but we’re actually pretty awesome once you get to know us ;)

headspace would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.

headspace is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. headspace welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.